So much and so little

Over the past two months I have started this post at least 10 times, but never knew where to go with it until recently. And, to be completely frank, I’m still not 100 percent sure what to do.

I needed this time to allow some clarification in my own mind and I sincerely apologize for not posting anything in the interim, it’s just that I wasn’t sure what to say and the words didn’t want to come out in a cogent manner.

So much has happened over that time period, yet in some ways so little has changed. My back has been improving steadily and there was one week where I was able to play three rounds of golf with minimal pain. Then there are days where I swing a club once and it feels like I have reverted 3 or 4 weeks in my recovery. It’s not a half full – half empty situation, it’s more as if the cup has sprung a small leak and water is flowing in haphazardly.

Most recently I was examined by Dave Oliver as he taught a seminar for the McKenzie Institute to a group of PTs here in Portland. After talking about where I felt the discomfort and going through a series of movements, he suggested I do sets of back extension stretches. Basically, I lie down on my stomach with my palms on the ground parallel with my shoulders and then push up until my elbows lock. Once in that position I exhale and relax the back. What this does is get my spine back into a neutral position. He suggested that because the golf swing is done while bent over, and a lot of things we do in life are in that same position, the spine gradually gets out of line in the hips. Then when repetitive high speed movements are added on top of the miss-aligned spine that is where the pain and tightness is created. I am supposed to do these hourly on days where I don’t play golf as well as before and after any rounds or practice sessions.

Here is a small graphic of the move:

On days where I play a round or swing a club he has me doing a standing version of the same stretch throughout the round. I put my hands on my lower back just above the glutes and lean back as far as I can pushing the spine back into position.

I did a set of 20 of these every hour the first day and then the standing ones after every swing on the golf course and it seemed to make a difference. I could make fairly comfortable swings and felt pretty good through the round. The next day I felt decent and continued the stretches. I had another round scheduled for that day so did the same thing building up to the round and during the round. I made it through about 13 holes and then hit a fat 3-wood that seemed to jar the back again. After that I had to gingerly swing in order to not stoke the fire and kind of limped in for the remaining holes. But as I continue to do the stretches I can feel my back getting itself situated which makes further strength building more realistic. I think that with all of the advice I have received to date that a full recovery is not just realistic but inevitable as long as I stay the right path.

However, this whole thing has been very frustrating for a number of reasons. Through these months the more I try to do the worse it seems to get, but then if I take 10 days completely off I feel like I have lost my touch with my wedges and irons and am, in a way, reverting. I have been debating whether it is worse to try and continue as I currently have been or if I should take a chunk of time off completely.

Another reason it has been frustrating is financially. Since I have only been able to play, on average, once a week I have been paying a lot per round to be a member of Riverside. I made the decision to take a leave of absence from the club because I was out-of-pocket roughly $550 a month to get out there about 2 times (I tend to play other tracks almost as often as Riverside). That’s some pricey rounds and until I know I am fully capable of returning to practice it just doesn’t make sense to be a member somewhere. It was a very tough decision to make as I love the members out there, but if I am limited to a couple of times a month it makes more sense to just pay the guest fee. I finalized this decision and parted from the club starting October 1.

The idea is that I can join a club again once things are completely solid. I am hoping that this will be in the Spring and have basically decided to take a hiatus from the game until some time around April.

There is no happiness about this state and I have been in a bit of an existential crisis as of late; although once a concrete decision and plan formulated in my head the fog of stagnation has been slowly lifting. My back is like the Arab that Meursault so curiously shot in The Stranger and for a few months I didn’t understand why it had to happen. I kept assuming that one day it would just go away and life would return to normal and I would have my work to do as I have done for the previous years. But, living in a world of anticipation takes a toll on us and it’s better to set a goal even if that means stepping back for a bit.

I can work on healing the back while also trying to continue swinging the golf club, but so far that has been like playing tug-of-war with myself. On the contrary, I can step back for a few months, strengthen and improve the core through doing all of the exercises that PT Shawn Dailey gave me and the stretches that Dave Oliver prescribed and allow myself to fully recover. During this time, I have realized, I can also save up more funds in order to continue the project correctly: with more expert coaching, tournament entry funds, travel expenses to see specialists, etc. Not only is my back injured, but after 5 years of not working the bank account is holding on by a thread and some duct tape, so having these months to work and replenish the funds will be a good thing to do in order to realistically be able to complete the entire 10,000 hours. I suppose that is the break in the clouds of all this.

Speaking of that, there are a ton of silver linings here. Having to take some time off of something I have come to love is not necessarily a bad thing, it’s just a short break in a lifetime of enjoyable moments. This injury is a setback, for sure, but it’s impossible to not sit here and appreciate everything that golf and The Dan Plan has brought me. I have changed as a human immensely since starting this project and golf has grown with me and become part of my persona. I wouldn’t be who I am today if I had not set off on this journey and I am 100 percent positive that it has made me a better and happier person. In a lot of ways perhaps that is why it is so hard to realize that I need to take some time away, so I tell myself that this is just a pause, not a death.

Again, I am sorry for the long delay, but it has been an incredibly tough decision and one that was impossible for me to take lightly. I have been thinking about this all day every day and the conclusion was the last one that I wanted to reach; but after 5 months of snail’s pace improvement it is the only rational one that I could arrive at. Since deciding what needs to be done I know that it will be easier to post more frequently about life on hiatus from one’s goals. I have no clue what that will be like but I am sure there will be plenty to cover concerning what recovery and a sidelined life is like.

35 Responses to "So much and so little"

I (37M) used to have similar issues with my back until I started a strength training program centered around the big 3 lifts: squats, deadlifts and bench press.
If you are taking the fall/winter off, this would be a great time to get stronger, just like Tiger Woods did when he first started training with Butch Harmon.

A good starting program is StrongLifts 5×5.

Good luck and I hope the journey continues this spring! We are all rooting for you!

Hey Dan, a real shame your back has put things on hold. I would strongly recommend you get an expert opinion on your back from a top quality Physiotherapist/Physical Therapist who is not bound by a particular teaching train of thought, e.g. McKenzie. Whilst the McKenzie approach has benefit I would suggest that you have a comprehensive biomechanical review by someone who really knows their stuff, I’m talking internationally renowned.

You don’t need: clicking/cracking/soft tissue work/healing crystals etc etc. You need a detailed analysis of your posture/movement control around your pelvis/whole body to isolate areas of weakness that may be contributing to your issues. This can then be translated into a specific rehab program.

Good luck chap, I wish you all the best, watching your progress (I check in every few months) has been most enjoyable.

“Living in a world of anticipation takes a toll on us and it’s better to set a goal even if that means stepping back for a bit.”

Wow, that’s the kind of profound truth that only really reveals itself at certain times in a life.

For what it’s worth I’ve been following your story for a couple years now and I think it’s really inspirational what you’re doing. Life’s short man, you’re going to look back on all this and see that you’ve been on an amazing adventure. This spell of injury will just be one of many chapters of your story.

I’m sure you’ll bounce back from this setback. You’ve done an amazing job so far and the persistence is amazing to continuously hear about.

You may have heard of Bob Rotella, a sports psychologist who has worked with a number of pro golfers. Just wanted to share “How Champions Think” which have helped me improve my game almost instantly in various facets of my life.

Lastly, how are you doing financially by the way? I was just curious of the type of investment needed to execute a journey like this as its fascinating.

Glad to see you’re still around Dan. I can’t imagine how frustrating and demoralising it must be for you at the moment, but hang in there. Taking a few months off from the project will do you wonders; health-wise, financially, and will renew your enthusiasm upon your return.
A project like yours is a marathon, not a sprint. If you’re in a rush to finish, you’ll blow up long before reaching the end.
Personally, I’d take the winter off if I were you and get back at it in spring. In the grand scheme of things, what’s 4/5 months added to the Dan Plan?

You shouldn’t be taking unsolicited golf advice from strangers on the internet, but for what’s it’s worth, this caught my attention…

“He suggested that because the golf swing is done while bent over…”

There are two ways to “bend over”; lumbar spine flexion and hip flexion (and a combination of the two).
Look them up if you’re not sure what they are. Then ask yourself “how am I bending over?”.
This is fundamental to your whole technique, as well as your back’s health.

Your lumbar spine’s orientation on the sagittal plane (i.e. bent forwards in “lumbar flexion” or backwards in “lumbar extension”) should be exactly the same in your golf address position as you standing up normally (assuming you don’t have any back conditions like hyperlordosis etc).
Something worth thinking about if you haven’t before.

Keep up the good work Dan. It’s just a game, don’t let it get you down

Wish you well. Do the exercises your PT told you to do and do them daily. I’ve had back problems and they can take a long time to heal. Take up something like swimming which would keep your core muscles and the rest of you strong while taking the stress off your spine. The weather is going to be rotten for the next few months anyway.

You may think you’ll fall back, but what you lose during your lay off will come back fast. If that concerns you, look at it this way: you would be developing compensations in your swing for your injury if you were to continue to fight through this. In the long term, that would not be good. When you’re able to return, get some high quality coaching. Meanwhile, save up your money.

I wish you all the best, Dan! The long pondering over how to write this must have worked, I find this entry excellently written. One advice, get a daylight lamp, that keeps up the mood in the winter when we don’t get enough daylight (and activates Vitamin D).
All the best!

Dan, perfect time to take off, it was snowing while I golfed yesterday!

Have you ever considered getting one of those ball grabbers to put on the end of your putter?
Just one way to reach to the ground 18 less times.
And perhaps a taller putter shaft?
These are things I need to do myself

You’re a real athlete now. The good part is you now know nearly all the parts of being a professional athlete. And even if you stopped now for good, I feel like you already got it all. It’s amazingly impressive, what you’ve done. And I, having never been an athlete of any kind, can’t imagine how frustrating this is for you.

It seems that it is unclear (at least to me) what exactly is the cause, and the source of the back pain. It seem to occur after moving from one living quarter to another. Perhaps heavy lifting during the move caused an injury. Perhaps too much playing is the reason. Perhaps improper swing technique caused excessive stresses.

A while back, it was posted that your sister, who is a doctor, mentioned that she once sustained a slight fracture of the back during running exercise. She is probably implying that this type of injury may run in the family. Although without x-rays, it cannot be known for sure if there is a fracture.

To pin point the cause of the problem will need a real expert certified medical doctor of the back to track down the problem of whether it is a bone fracture, disc problem, pinched nerve, ligament tear, tendon issue, muscle problem, or others like low bone density (which drinking a lot of carbonated soda is bad for this.) The treatment, length of resting period to heal, and physical therapy regiments differ depending on what is the type of problem.

In the last part of this year, there were a rash of flopped wedge approach shots from the middle of the fairway on the last hole on television broadcasts of golf. It is quite shocking to see a number of top golfers like Day hit super fat wedge shots from the middle of the fairway. They should be able to hit great wedge shots without fail in their sleep. It is probably they are pushing the wedge for too much distance, or trying to cut or hook the wedge excessively. The most accurate and consistent wedge shots can be produced by swing essentially with the leading side only, and with minimal right side force. To hit the ball as precisely as possible with the wedge contacting the ball right on the sweet spot with perfectly wedge clubface angle, the traditional technique is to keep the head very still (like the traditional recommendation of keeping the head very still during putting.) The body is not move excessively for precise wedge play.

With winter coming, it may be a good time to put the clubs into storage, and to heal the body. Only specialist real medical doctors of the back can pin point the exact reason for the pain. Sometimes, it is even difficult for them to determine the problem, although since the pain is fairly consistent, this difficulty is unlikely. One thing though, any surgery of the back cannot be taken lightly without further consultation of second (or third) opinions, as sometimes back surgeries can make pains worse, after scare tissue build up that can pull and irritate nerves.

I’d like to second Shane’s comments. After years of low back issues, a steady diet of squats, deadlifts, and bench press and I have no issues. An occasional flare-up 1-2x per year, but over in a matter of days. Two additions.. Kettlebell swings, which counter the forces wrecking your back, and mobility work via the ” couch stretch” ( Google it ) provide almost immediate pain relief when things flare up.

1. Stop getting older. That is probably the foundation of your issues.
2. I have had a recent setback, and it has lasted more than three years, and it is obviously that my life cannot go all the way back. But as has golf changed you already, this setback may modify you in ways, that will be life altering, and for your very good, beyond golf. Golf and this experience is a goal to be met, I am sure, but “who you be” is the real point. (Pardon the bad grammar.) We try to pass many goal posts, and don’t realize the point is to improve our human being, and those we come in contact with, then to set mile posts in our lives. In my new limited reality, I cannot fight all the way back, it is improving my being with my loved ones and those I am closest to, in spite of some serious limitations.
3. Write about the new golf inspired life changes, your response to situations, the character improvements of playing a game that is harsh, fair, impossible to reach perfections, you are your own referee, and the score that matters is a measure of much more than strokes made during the game. Write about fitness methods. Consider course strategy and choices.

And isn’t the point of golf for all but a very select few who do it for a living, an opportunity to have fun with friends, and get some exercise (that should obviously be avoided at all costs), in a great world of beautiful things.

Been following you closely from the first time you got on the course and actually played 9 holes. This was pre-Driver.

Wishing you the best and appreciate the time and effort it has taken for you to share your journey. That said, it was frustrating on our end not knowing what was going on this past two months. Was concerned that maybe you had just given up. Don’t want to say we expect or are entitled to updates, but I’m sure I’m not the only one that feels invested in your journey. In the future please don’t feel obligated to write giant blog entries. Just a sentence or two would suffice to let us know your still on the path.

Good luck with the back stretching. I know from experience (spinal fusion to alleviate blown disc) that its not an easy road, but recovery can and does happen.
–
Dave S!

Have you tried the Egoscue method – I think the book is called Pain Free, the motivational speaker Tony Robbins Raves about this method of exercise and in general he only works with the best in any field so definetly worth checking out,

Sorry to hear about your struggles. You’ve already progressed further than most people could ever dream of in a lifetime. Your story is such an inspiration.

Those hours of dedicated practice demonstrate immense mental fortitude, which is key to navigating the season of suffering you find yourself in now.

So while it’s frustrating, and while I’m just a stranger who knows nothing about your problems, hang in there. Obviously that’s easy for me to say. I will be sending out positive thoughts and prayers your way nevertheless.

Take some rest, regroup, get a strategy that works for you, not for anyone else. Detach yourself from any sense of failure asopiated with your back. Having a setback or illness is not your identity and was not preventable.

You’re taking precisely the steps that will pay dividends in the longer term. Big goals always take longer than we thought they would, involve detours, dead ends and disappointments, cause more tears than we thought we could cry and cost more money than we thought we could pay. But rest assured. There wouldn’t be this much struggle and resistance unless the eventual rewards produced far outweighed the light and momentary affliction. Keep going buddy!!

After reading this I get the feeling that you are feeling like you are letting US down. Please don’t. We are here as spectators we don’t have any right to tell you how to live your life. Suggestions are just that suggestions. You are the best judge on what to do. We don’t have any of the knowledge that you do about your life.Choose happiness, straight away you’ll feel better. Good Luck!!

Watching videos of you, your swing plane tends to change and flatten out too much on top of backswing, putting a twist on your spine between the lower section(lumber vertebrae) and the higher section at chest and shoulders(thoracic vertebrae), shifting vertebrae pinching and trapping nerves as you adjust at high speed during the changeover through to the downswing- look for less speed but more rhythm, rhythm, rhythm and consistency through the entire spinal column, from the lowest vertebra(L4 lumber)at hips to (T1 thoracic) at high back and shoulder complemented by less overall rotation and again less speed. I have seen this problem coming for you before it happened. The rhythm and slower speed complemented by good timing will increase the ‘clubhead’ speed without a jarring of the spine with excessive shoulder turn at changeover- problem will disappear. But of course, needs respite first.

I have found your journey a remarkable test to the 10,000 hours idea. I wish you well in your recovery.

I hope, in the meantime, you may share some of your experiences to do with being immersed in a single activity so deeply and for so long. What is it about this journey that makes it worth continuing despite its end constantly delayed (or so it seems)? Could you share something valuable about the consistency and discipline of practice, or if you’ve felt particular love towards your activity regardless of the regularity by which you’ve approached it? Do you have any insight as to the approach of practice itself, and how your own understanding regarding (directed and concerted) practice may have changed?

I’m confident every human being has something to learn from a testing project such as yours. I hope your answers may help some of us find our own metaphoric golf to pursue, about which we can remain just as passionate and resolute as you surely are.

Dan’s facing the realities of being a struggling athlete. Lack of funds and an aging body. I hope the time off helps him mentally, physically and financially rejuvenate himself. Maybe like Tiger, iin 2016 you can return.

I was plagued with back pain for years. Sometimes it was worse than others. I am an athlete and it would always show-up at the worst possible times.

So….after my MRI I was told that I have all of these problems like herniated discs that are impinging nerves, etc…………….then after every different treatment except surgery I found a book that I gave my wife years earlier and I thought I would give it a try. I was advised by someone who used it to great effect was to read it three times….and I did.

I am not kidding….it was a miracle. Please do yourself a favor and read this: The Mind Body Prescription

That’s not an affiliate link or anything….just get the book and read it through once at your normal pace, then read it two more times slowly and while digesting the information completely. In one month you will be better.

I have been pain-free for over three years now. Seriously…biggest miracle in my life….don’t poo-poo it like I did at first.

In a way, this might be a small addendum to the 10,000 hours theory. Almost all the great performers were doing their trade when they were kids. Maybe injuries happen around the halfway mark, and a person has to be young to heal their way through them and make it to 10,000…

Regardless, you have already proved one thing to me. Expertise in ANYTHING is only 5 years away. Maybe not “best in the world”, but easily top 10%. That’s extremely empowering. In 5 years I could be speaking Russian fluently, or doing flips on a snowboard, or rocking an electric guitar. It really is a real life example of “anything is possible.”

I used to have back problems but doing 2 months of deadlifting made a huge difference!

I recommend you focus on squats (strong squats equals strong deadlifts, but not the other way). If you do squats every 2 days you’ll feel great within 2 months. Just do 1 warmup set of 5, and then 2 sets of 5. Simple progression – increase weight by 10-20 lbs every session. Drop it down to what it was 4-5 sessions ago when you reach near your max, and repeat increasing it again.

Dan – Stick with it, buddy! I’m going to second the recommendation to try Stronglifts 5×5. I’ve had back issues off and on since my early twenties and my back never felt better than when I was recently on the Stronglifts program. Deadlifts became my favorite exercise–they work wonders. I’m convinced they’re the absolute best exercise anybody can do as they activate more muscles than anything else.

It’s kind of counter-intuitive, but when you perform compound movements, lift big and do fewer reps (like in Stronglifts or Rippetoe’s programs), you’re actually decreasing your risk of injury.

Hello,
I have read bits about your plan to play golf “professionally,” love the intent. Though I feel you have made it harder than what it is for yourself. The effort and dedication is there 100%. I see where you hit your milestone is how you process everything and that is what is conflicting. Your end result is not clear thus that is what thwarts action. Your back injury is a reflection of a swing that is probably not right for your body type. I am about same in structure and size though i use the lot of my lower half in my swing. A-lot of knowledge about the golf swing is out now compared to when you started this project. Check out instagram, swing coaches make there living by posting on there.

I started playing golf about 8 months ago, former baseball player though that has nothing to do with how well I can swing. Or how well I can play the game for me it is how I process everything mentally.

Now on to the mental part, I am “Golf Mentalist” so i can break down and separate the use less thought from conflicting thought/belief to have peace and freedom while I perform. Im sure I can help you process now to make your game even better than what it was.

Golf is fun, it breaks people of fragile mind and character. Hope you change your swing and refine your body so that you can keep pursuing the game that has evolved you.

I’m a huge believer in what you’re trying to do. Been an avid golfer since grade school. Healing, fitness, and testing human potential have also been other passions of mine.

Recently listened to a podcast by Joe Rogan, featuring Dr Rhonda Patrick. He spoke about a torn rotator cuff. He went to a place in vegas called Total sports medicine, who implemented a stem cell injection from this stem cell research lab called Applied Biologics. Joe’s exact words were “healed like wolverine”. Maybe worth a try. God knows I’ve tried getting my dad to see about it. (Back injury that has killed his golf game).

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Who is Dan?

Dan decided in April 2010 to quit his job and, with zero previous experience in the game, dedicate 10,000 hours of practice to golf. Follow his journey as he discovers how practice translates into success.